Smart Maintenance Technology and Its Application for Subgrade Frost Heave Diseases on Roads in Cold Regions

Gao Song(China Construction Civil Engineering Co., Ltd.)
Wang Xiaoqing(Hebei Expressway Group Co., Ltd.)

Abstract

Roads in cold regions are often affected by frost heave, resulting in structural damage such as cracking, uplift, and subsidence, which seriously undermines road stability and traffic safety. Traditional maintenance methods, characterized by delayed response and low efficiency, are inadequate for the complex and dynamic nature of frost heave in these regions. This study begins with an analysis of the mechanisms and distribution of frost heave-related subgrade diseases, examining how frost heave deteriorates road performance and identifying the limitations of current maintenance techniques. In response, this paper introduces the concept of "smart maintenance" enabled by advances in information technology and intelligent sensing. Key components of smart maintenance—including multi-source monitoring, data analysis, predictive modeling, and intelligent decision-making—are explored to develop a refined, data-driven, and automated maintenance management system. Through case studies, the paper validates the technical advantages and practical effectiveness of smart maintenance in predictive interventions, structural regulation, and disaster early warning. The findings suggest that smart maintenance significantly improves efficiency, reduces operational costs, and extends service life of roads in cold regions, thus demonstrating strong application potential.

Keywords

Cold regions; Road subgrade; Frost heave; Smart maintenance; Information monitoring; Predictive maintenance

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26549/frae.v8i1.33843